HTC Dream Rendering Highlighted Features

Over at Android Community, they took the previous engineering renderings of the HTC Dream and highlighted every key feature that could be determined. Some new nuggets of information is that the HTC Dream is assumed to be 16.35mm, which is decent considering the iPhone is around 12.3 mm thick and the HTC Dream includes a slide out keyboard.

Obviously, with all these moving parts: a slide out keyboard, a strong chin, touchscreen, etc, it looks like it will certainly take time before case makers make a stylish and functional case. Unlike other phones which are typically one slab and that's it, it looks like the HTC Dream is going to be a wee bit more complicated than just that. We'll soon see!

HTC Dream to be Smaller than iPhone 3G

Fair or not, comparing the HTC Dream to the iPhone 3G is inevitable. Especially with the iPhone garnering such attention from the media, every new and exciting device will be brought up and pitted against the iPhone 3G. Over at The iPhone Blog, they recently gave a size comparison to the length and width of the HTC Dream, iPhone 3G, Blackberry Bold, and XPERIA X1-arguably the four most anticipated phones of the year.

It's surprising to note that the HTC Dream will be considerably thinner than the iPhone 3G and just a shade shorter as well. We're missing the all-important thickness, but big shout out to HTC for making such a compact device. Obviously, what's more important is the in-hand feel but these dimensions are looking quite promising.

HTC Dream Leaked Specs,

So we've covered the hardware aspect of the HTC Dream now we're getting news of the specs that'll drive the device that'll power up Android (via Gizmodo). Here's what it looks like:

3.17" screen with 480x320 resolution

528 Mhz CPU

64 MB RAM

3.1 Megapixel Camera, no flash

3G, Quad-Band GSM

MicroSD Slot

Overall, everything seems to be fairly solid. The only concern we have is the (little) amount of RAM, but there have been reports that the RAM may be anywhere from 128MB - 256 MB, so this may not be the final spec sheet. The HTC Dream is shaping up to becoming quite a competitive device and with the potential of Android, we'll be looking at a stellar phone. Let's hope it stays on track and the specs get even better!

HTC Dream Engineering Drawings, Has Huge 'Chin'

We're getting more and more details about the HTC Dream, the purported first Android Device, and it's looking pretty good. As you can see in this rendering of the HTC Dream (via AndroidGuys), a full slide out QWERTY keyboard is included a long with a few standard 'home' buttons. The big screen is reportedly a touch screen so the HTC Dream looks to be a highly versatile device.

In these engineering pictures, the device looks like it curves up in the 'chin' area which we're not positive would feel comfortable in your pocket. Also, the thickness is a bit ambiguous at this point because we have nothing to compare it to. So though there is some concern, all in all, the HTC Dream is shaping out to be a solid looking device.

HTC Dream Starts Pre-Sales September 17th?

The rumors of a delayed Android have been debunked by a newer rumor that the HTC Dream, the purported first Android Device, will be available for pre-order on September 17th. As in only a skip and hop away September 17th. The details from TmoNews state that the presale is only for current T-Mobile customers who will have to pay (a measly) $150 to own the latest and greatest phone on the market. New Activations are currently unknown, TmoNews expects those folks to have to wait for the national release (around October).

Though this rumor may be true, one of the odd nuggets is that activation requires a Gmail Account (wha!?). We at Android Central don't see how that ties in.

T-Mobile to Launch First Android Device

T-Mobile announced that it plans to release the first phone using the Android Operating System. And according to the NYT, they're aiming to release it before Christmas and may even unveil it as early as October. The device, rumored to be the HTC Dream, will have a touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard. Obviously, the comparison, head to heads, and battles will soon begin with that other touchscreen device.

It makes perfect sense for T-Mobile to take a chance on Android. In the US, T-Mobile is lagging in as the 4th biggest operator and needs to make one of those high-risk, high-reward type gambles to improve their position. Android is exactly that.

FCC Approves HTC Dream, Android On Track

We're ever so thankful that all these gadgets and devices that we love have to go through the FCC for approval. Why? Well, because the FCC allows us to access all of the top secret information! Case in point, the HTC Dream, rumored to be the first Android Phone, has just received FCC approval (Via Engadget). The model number is listed as DREA100 and it looks to have all the typical goodies- 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/1900 and WCDMA 1700.

0.9 Android SDK Released, Looks A LOT Better

We had previously reported on the much maligned, original Android SDK which could only be seen as a step in the right direction. Luckily, after months of silence from Google, the Android SDK is now in 0.9 and includes a complete overhaul of the user interface.

From the looks of it, Android is looking closer and closer to becoming a reality and a lot of the features look fun to use, if not useful. I'm eager to get my hands on an actual Android device but for now the screenshots, video, and SDK will have to do. Gizmodo has a great video introduction to the 0.9 Android SDK, feel free to check it out!

Developers: First Android SDK, Not So Friendly

From Ars Technica, we have reports that Androids first SDK was severely limited and well, not that great. The foundation is "highly promising" but in its current shape, the Android SDK is not equipped to handle the scope of what Google wants Android to become.

Developers are facing basic issues such as the lack of documentation since the API doesn't provide enough information, no public issue-tracking system, and even the User Interface had some quirks. Of course, we won't even begin to mention the bugs. But either way, it's still relatively early in the game for Android and the more important thing to note is that people are still getting familiar with it.

Andy Rubin Demos Android Features in a Tutorial

Andy Rubin, also known as the head honcho of all things Android over at Google gives a quick demo of Android to BBC and well, it looks pretty darn cool. The two noteworthy items shown are obviously Google Maps Street View and Quake, both of which run very well. Even though the prototype phone is running at 300 MHz, it still manages to be fairly smooth. Obviously, at this point Android is still rough around the edges but the potential is obvious. Click the Read Link for the Video!

Google Publishes New Android Roadmap

For months, Google stayed mum on all things Android. Developers were beginning to wonder how 'open' Android was really going to be and with no updates to the Android SDK how could we blame them? Luckily, Google became aware of the situation and published an Android roadmap that detailed the plan that will lead to launch of 1.0.

Wired Magazine on the History of Android

Wired Magazine has a great article on the origins of Android that goes in-depth on the back story of the makings of the next great mobile OS. To give you a quick summary of the Wired story about Android, Andy Rubin approached Google in hopes of getting the search engine giant to spread the good news about the open source mobile platform.

Instead, Google loved what they heard and made Android a part of Google.

The article includes some great stories that paint the current landscape of mobile platforms. Feature strapped, limited, and carrier shackled are words that come to mind when describing anything related to the cell phone industry. With Android, it promises to be open and innovative--the first mobile OS that intends to change the way industry works, from top to bottom.

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